Nectarine tree named ‘CAKESTAR’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of white flat nectarine tree denominated ‘CAKESTAR’ has fruits with high eating quality and very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, with a very well closed pistillary basin, with a semi-sweet white flesh, with a slightly red pigmentation under the fruit skin at ripening time and into the stone cavity, and an attractive luminous skin colored with a purple red blush on the whole skin surface.

Botanical classification: Prunus persica (L.) Batsch.

Variety denomination: ‘CAKESTAR’.

This application claims priority of Community plant variety right No. 2016/2953 filed on Nov. 25, 2016 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of white flat nectarine tree, Prunus persica (L.) Batsch, which has been given the variety denomination ‘CAKESTAR’.

This new tree produces fruits with a long shelf life without alteration both on the tree after growth completion and after harvesting, very good eating quality, semi-clingstone white flesh fruits with a slightly red pigmentation near the epidermis and into the stone cavity, for fresh market in July in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The ‘CAKESTAR’ white flat nectarine tree originated from a cultivated area of the south of France, in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, where it was tested.

This place is under a Mediterranean climate (a temperate area), on the Mediterranean coastline. Winters are gentle and summers warm and dry. The amount of days with temperatures below 7° Celsius can vary between 600 and 1200 hours per year. The place is sunny, with 2400 to 2800 hours of sunny days per year on average. The prevailing wind is called ‘Tramontane’: it dries the air, clears the sky from clouds, but its intensity can be strong and affect the harvest, fruit quantity and/or quality. Marine moisture does not affect the place. Precipitations are irregular through the year and from one year to another. The amount of rainy days does not exceed 80 days per year, and are mostly found in Spring and Autumn. In May and October, very intense precipitations occasionally happen. Summer is dry with a few thunderstorms.

The ‘CAKESTAR’ variety results from controlled cross between the ‘CAKEDELICE’ white flat nectarine tree (not patented) which was used as the seed parent and the ‘NECTARPERF’ white nectarine tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,357) which was used as the pollen parent.

The ‘CAKESTAR’ variety was obtained by hybridizing and propagated by grafting on a ‘INRA® GF677’ (non-patented) rootstock trees. It has been determined to have unique tree and fruit characteristics making it worthy for commercial fresh fruit production. There are no known effects of the standard rootstock trees set forth above on the scion cultivar. Asexually propagated plants remained true to the original tree and all characteristics of the tree and the fruit were transmitted. The plant was reproduced asexually by us in Les Régalines, Route d'Alenya, La Prade de Mousseillous, 66200 ELNE, Pyrénées-Orientales, France. More particularly, the plant was reproduced by grafting.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety ‘CAKESTAR’ white flat nectarine tree blooms at the end of February or early in March near Elne in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. The blooming period is considered medium. However, it was observed that its late date of blooming seems to be highly dependant on climatic conditions.

The first fruit of ‘CAKESTAR’ ripens generally at medium season, in the beginning or middle of July. More particularly, it usually ripens between July 4^(th) and July 18^(th). However, it was observed that its date of maturity seems to be highly dependant on climatic conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing, which are as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph which shows a view of a tree of the new variety in orchard, bearing fruits.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph which shows a view of five trees of the new variety in orchard at flowering time.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph which depicts the flower buds at different development stages, and the reverse and side view of the flower and the reproductive organs with petals removed, of the new variety.

FIG. 4 is a color photograph that shows a close view of four typical specimens of the fruit of the new variety ‘CAKESTAR’ at ripening time, one fruit having been cut in half with the pit being left in one of the halves for depicting leaves, fruit flesh, pit and pit cavity of the new variety.

FIG. 5 is a color photograph that shows a close view of three typical specimens of the fruit of the new variety ‘CAKESTAR’ at ripening time.

FIG. 6 is a color photograph that shows a close view of typical specimens of the fruit of the new variety ‘CAKESTAR’ at ripening time.

FIG. 7 is a color photograph of the stone of the new variety and the kernel of the stone.

Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the flowers, stones and fruits depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate when compared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variations in soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potential for commercial production of fresh fruits by ‘CAKESTAR’ is high, due to fruit very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting.

Trees are vigorous and large stature half-standing in a semi-flared out aspect. The anthocyanic coloration of flowering shoot is present excluding brushwood side away from sun. The time of beginning of flowering is considered medium; flowering begins at the end of February or during March. The type of flower is showy (rosette) with medium to large petal size. Petals are medium pink or pink. Leaf glands are present and reniform. The fruit flesh is white, and generally with a slightly red pigmentation under at ripening time and into the stone cavity. The fruit skin is very thick, with a luminous purple red blush on a red background. The stone is semi-clingstone and the size is small. Fruit taste is semi-sweet, very aromatic and with a high level of sugars.

Compared to ‘CAKEREVE’ white flat nectarine variety (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,769), the new variety named ‘CAKESTAR’ has generally a similar period of maturity, or ripens sometimes a few days later. The amount of flowers of the new variety ‘CAKESTAR’ is lower than the amount of flowers produced by the similar variety ‘CAKEREVE’. Indeed, the new variety produces between 45 and 50 flowers per linear meter whereas the similar variety produces 50 to 60 flowers per linear meter. The pistillary basin of the new variety ‘CAKESTAR’ is generally very well closed whereas the pistillary basin of the ‘CAKEREVE’ variety is well closed.

Compared to the seed parent ‘CAKEDELICE’ white flat nectarine tree (not patented), the new variety named ‘CAKESTAR’ generally ripens 2 weeks earlier.

Compared to the pollen parent ‘NECTARPERF’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,357), the new variety named ‘CAKESTAR’ is a round and flattened nectarine whereas ‘NECTARPERF’ is a white round nectarine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new and distinct variety of white flat nectarine tree, the following was observed on trees in their third growing season (second year of production) under the ecological conditions prevailing at the orchards located near the town of Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. All observations have been done on rootstock cultivars. Used rootstocks were ‘INRA® GF677’ (non-patented) trees. All major color code designations are by reference to The R.H.S. Colour Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by The Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.

TREE

-   Size:     -   -   Generally.—Considered large. The tree size the first year             was approximately 200 to 280 cm. The tree was pruned during             each following dormant season to a height of approximately             250 cm. Current season shoots growth could reach 80 cm. The             tree size from the second year (second and next years)             reached a final height of 330 cm including current season             shoots length. The tree size is consistently reduced to 250             cm the next years. -   Spread: Approximately 100 cm with a cylindrical shape. The whole     orchard was oriented to a central leader organization, with tree     lines spaced of 4.0 meters and trees spaced of 1.0 meter in a same     tree line. As a result, tree spread was about 100 cm and the orchard     contained 2500 trees by hectare. -   Vigor: Considered medium. -   Productivity: Considered good to very good, and regular. Fruit set     is spaced by thinning to develop the remaining fruit into the     desired market sized fruit. The number of the fruit set varies with     the prevailing climatic conditions and cultural practices employed     during the bloom period, and is therefore not distinctive of the     present variety. A reduced vegetation, obtained with pruning or     green pruning, approximately 1 month or 1 month ½ before harvesting     flat fruits, significantly promotes fruit qualities, especially     growth, color and firmness. Moreover, contamination risks due to     monilia or rot are significantly reduced. ‘CAKESTAR’ variety is not     much sensitive to cracking of pistil cavity, to cork formation into     peduncle cavity or to monilia. -   Bearer: Very regular. The fruit distribution is considered     homogenous on mixed branches and spurs having more than 1 year.     Thinning of 2 fruits out of 3 was necessary for the tree     valorisation. Thinning was necessary every year during the years of     observation. -   Form: The ‘CAKESTAR’ variety has naturally a semi-flared shape. -   Density: Considered dense. -   Hardiness: The present tree was grown and evaluated in France. The     variety appears to be hardy under the central Pyrénées-Orientales     departement typical climatic conditions. Experimentations on     different sites with winter chilling requirement comprised between     350 hours and 1200 hours showed a good behaviour of the tree in all     cases. Traditionally, flat fruits are more sensitive to critical low     temperatures and to climatic variations, because of the flower     morphology in which the ovule is less protected than in the     classical round fruits. Thus, areas not much exposed to frost are     recommended for trees growth. However ‘CAKESTAR’ trees seem to be     very resistant to critical frosty weather.

TRUNK

-   Diameter: Approximately 39 millimeters in diameter when measured at     a distance of approximately 20 centimeters above the soil level. -   Bark texture: Considered rough, with lenticels. -   Lenticels: Numerous lenticels are present. The number of lenticels     reaches 5 lenticels per cm². The lenticels range in size     approximately 2.5 to 4.0 millimeters in width, and about 1.0 to 1.3     millimeters in height. -   Lenticel color: The lenticels show a beige to light orange color     (RHS Greyed Orange 164 C or RHS Greyed Orange 164 D). -   Bark coloration: At the base of the trunk the bark has a silver-grey     color (RHS Grey 201 A or RHS Grey 201 B) darker than the lenticels     color. This color evolves towards a brown color (RHS Brown 200 B or     RHS Brown 200 C).

BRANCHES

-   Size: The branches are pruned to approximately 1.0 meter in length. -   Diameter: Average as compared to other nectarine varieties. The     current season shoots have a diameter of approximately 3.5 to 5.0     millimeters, and mature branches have a diameter of approximately     7.0 to 9.0 millimeters. -   Surface texture: Smooth for current season shoots and rough, with     lenticels. For mature branches, texture is rough and wood which is     several years old has no furrowed appearance. -   Crotch angles: Primary branches are considered variable, but the     crotch angles are generally of 70 degrees from the horizontal axis.     This particular characteristic is not considered distinctive of the     variety, however. -   Current season shoots: -   Internode length: Generally between 22.0 to 29.0 millimeters.     -   -   Color.—The color of new shoot tips is considered green (RHS             Yellow Green 144 A or RHS Yellow Green 144 B) on lower part             of new shoot tips, whereas the upper part is darker and             colored in brown-purple (RHS Greyed Purple 187 B), depending             on the level on the tip and the sunlight exposure. -   Mature branches: -   Internode length: Generally between 14.0 and 19.0 millimeters. -   Color of mature branches: Brown (RHS Grey Brown 199 A or RHS Grey     Brown N 199 A or RHS Grey Brown N 199 B). -   Lenticels: Numerous lenticels are present on mature branches. The     number of lenticels reaches 2 lenticels per cm². The size of     lenticels is considered small. The lenticels range in size from     approximately 2.2 to 3.0 millimeters in width, and about 1.0 to 1.2     millimeters in height. The lenticel shape is round and slightly     stretched. -   Lenticel color: The lenticels on mature branches have a light beige     color (RHS Greyed Yellow 161 C or RHS Greyed Yellow 161 D).

LEAVES

-   Size: Considered medium for the species. The ratio leaf length/leaf     width is 4.33. -   Leaf length: Approximately 147.0 to 168.0 millimeters with leaf     petiole. The medium length is about 158.6 millimeters. -   Leaf width: Approximately 33.0 to 42.0 millimeters. The medium width     is 36.6 millimeters. -   Leaf base shape: Concave. -   Leaf form: Lanceolate. -   Leaf tip form: Short, pointed and acuminate. -   Leaf color:     -   -   Upper leaf surface.—Dark Green (RHS Green Group 137 A).         -   Lower surface.—A lighter green (RHS Green 137 C) than the             upper leaf surface color. -   Leaf texture: Smooth and glabrous. -   Leaf venation: Pinnately veined. -   Mid-vein:     -   -   Color.—Light green, almost cream white (RHS Yellow Green             145C). The color may evolve with maturity. -   Leaf margins: Slightly undulating. -   Form: Considered slightly dentate. -   Uniformity: Leaves are isolated or grouped by 2 or 3. In this last     case, one leaf of normal size is found with one or two smaller     leaves (at least 50% smaller). -   Leaf petioles:     -   -   Size.—Considered medium.         -   Length.—About 9.0 to about 12.0 millimeters. The medium             length is about 10.4 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—About 1.5 to about 2.1 millimeters. The medium             diameter is about 1.78 millimeters. -   Petioles color:     -   -   Upper petiole surface.—Green (RHS Green Group 143 C).         -   Lower surface.—Light green (RHS Yellow Green 145 B to RHS             Yellow Green 145 C). -   Leaf glands:     -   -   Size.—Considered medium to large. Their length is about 1.5             to 1.8 millimeters and their width is about 1.0 millimeter.         -   Number.—Generally 2 glands per leaf.         -   Type.—Reniform.         -   Margins.—Smooth and regular.         -   Color.—On young leaves, leaf gland color is considered a             light green (RHS Green 145 B). On older leaves, leaf gland             color turns to a dark brown (RHS Grey Brown 199 A to RHS             Grey Brown 199 B). -   Leaf stipules:     -   -   Generally.—No leaf stipules were observed. But as seen in             the characteristic relative to the leaves uniformity, it is             possible to find leaves by groups of 2 or 3, with a             normal-size leaf and smaller ones.

FLOWERS

-   Flower buds:     -   -   Generally.—At pre-floral stage of development, the floral             buds are conic in form with a round tip. Their form is             evolving until blooming, with variable dimensions. Just             before blooming, floral buds are approximately 8.0 to 10.0             millimeters wide and approximately 15.0 to 19.0 millimeters             long.         -   Color.—This characteristic is dependent upon the proximity             to bloom. At pre-floral stage of development, the bottom of             the flowers buds, formed by the sepals, is of purple-brown             color (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A) and yellow green at the base             (RHS Yellow Green 146 B). The corolla, formed by the petals,             is generally of medium pink color (RHS Red Purple 65 B) on             both faces. Petal color shows an evolution until the end of             flowering. -   Hardiness: The buds are considered hardy under typical central     Pyrénées-Orientales departement climatic conditions. No winter     injury was noted during the last several years of evaluation in the     central Pyrénées-Orientales departement, with winter temperatures as     low as −10 degrees Celsius in January. The current variety has not     been intentionally subjected to drought or heat stress, but the     variety showed a very good resistance in orchard to temperatures up     to 42 degrees Celsius with an average temperature between 28 and 30     degrees Celsius during 3 weeks in summer. -   Date of bloom: The blooming time generally begins at the end of     February or early in March. The first bloom was observed on Mar. 9,     2015. -   Blooming time: Considered medium in relative comparison to other     commercial nectarine cultivars grown in the Pyrénées-Orientales     departement, France. The date of full bloom is observed generally at     the middle of the blooming period. Thus the full bloom was observed     in 2015, from March 9^(th) until March 18^(th), then from February     21^(st) until Mar. 4, 2016 and them from February 28^(th) until Mar.     10, 2017. -   Duration of bloom: Medium, approximately between 10 to 13 days. This     characteristic varies slightly with the prevailing climatic     conditions and cultural practices. -   Flower type: The variety is considered to have a showy type flower. -   Flower size: Considered medium to large. Flower diameter at full     bloom is approximately 32.0 to 36.0 millimeters. -   Bloom quantity: Considered abundant, approximately between 40 and 50     flowers per meter, with a high rate of fruit set. The bloom is     heterogeneous, and the bloom quantity is more important on the top     of the tree. -   Flower bud frequency: Generally 2 flower buds appear per node,     occasionally 1. -   Petal size:     -   -   Generally.—Considered medium to large. -   Length: Generally between 18.0 and 20.0 millimeters. The medium     length is 19.0 millimeters. -   Width: Generally between 15.0 and 17.0 millimeters. The medium width     is about 16.0 millimeters. -   Petal form: Round-shaped. -   Petal count: Generally 5. -   Petal texture: Smooth and soft. -   Petal color: At the stage F of blooming, when the flower is fully     opened, both surfaces of the petal are colored with a pink (RHS Red     62 B) or medium pink color (RHS Red Purple 65 B or RHS Red Purple     65C or RHS Red Purple 65 D) on both faces when young, becoming     slightly darker until the end of blooming. -   Fragrance: Moderate. -   Petal claw:     -   -   Form.—The claw is considered to have a narrow form.         -   Color.—Dark pink (RHS Red Purple 61 B), darker than the             petal color.         -   Length.—Approximately 1.5 to 2.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 1.0 millimeter. -   Petal margins: Generally considered smooth to moderately wavy,     sinuate at their base. -   Petal apex:     -   -   Generally.—The petal apices are wide dome shaped. -   Flower pedicel:     -   -   Length.—Considered medium and having an average length of             approximately 2.5 to 3.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Considered average, approximately 1.5 to 2.0             millimeters.         -   Color.—Green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A). -   Calyx:     -   -   Internal surface texture.—Smooth and glabrous.         -   Color.—At the stage F of blooming, when the flower is             opened, the inner surface of the calyx namely the flower             receptacle is considered greenish yellow (RHS Yellow Green             153 C). The outer surface of the calyx is considered of             purple-brown color (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A or RHS Greyed             Purple 187 B). -   Sepals:     -   -   Sepal count.—5.         -   Surface texture.—The outer surface has a fine pubescent             texture.         -   Margins.—Smooth.         -   Size.—Medium.         -   Form.—Conic with a round tip.         -   Length.—Approximately 5.0 to 6.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 4.0 to 5.0 millimeters.         -   Color.—At pre-floral stage of development (stage A) the             sepals are colored in purple-brown color (RHS Greyed Purple             183 A) and green at their base (RHS Yellow green 146 B). At             the stage F of blooming, the inner surface of the sepals is             considered greenish yellow to brown (RHS Yellow Green 153 C             or RHS Yellow Green 145 A). The outer surface of the sepals             is considered of purple-brown color (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A             or RHS Greyed Purple 187 A). -   Average number of stamens per flower: Approximately 36 to 46 stamens     per flower. -   Anthers:     -   -   Color.—At an early stage of maturity, anthers are colored             with an orange yellow color (RHS Yellow Orange 16 A to RHS             Yellow Orange 16 B) . The color may evolve with maturity to             turn in a red or red orange color (RHS Red Group N34 A or             RHS Greyed Red Group 178 A or RHS Red 46 A or RHS Red 46 B).         -   Size.—Small to medium.         -   Shape.—Reniform. -   Pollen production: Pollen is abundant, and has a yellow (RHS Yellow     11A) or an orange yellow color (Approximately RHS Yellow Orange 17 B     to RHS Yellow Orange 17 C) which may evolve with maturity. The     present variety is considered auto-fertile (self-pollinating). -   Filaments:     -   -   Size.—Medium length, between 10.0 and 17.0 millimeters in             length. Filament length is generally higher than the             pistil's length. -   Color: Considered white (RHS White 155 D) or pale pink (RHS Red     Purple 62 C to Red Purple 62 D) at the beginning of flowering to a     pink (RHS Red 56 A) or a darker pink (RHS Red Purple 73 A to RHS Red     Purple 73 B) at the end of flowering. The color becomes darker     during the blooming. -   Pistil:     -   -   Number.—Usually 1.         -   Generally.—Average in size.         -   Length.—Approximately 14.0 to 17.0 millimeters including the             ovary. Pistil's length is generally smaller than the             filament's length, or equal to the filament's length.         -   Color.—Considered a very pale green (RHS Yellow Green 145 C             or RHS Yellow Green Group 151 D) at the beginning of the             blooming. The color evolves during the blooming, becoming             more light (RHS Yellow Green 150 D) and sometimes very             slightly pink (RHS Red Group 36D) at the end of the             blooming. -   Ovary:     -   -   Pubescence.—Absent.         -   Height.—Between 1.5 and 2.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Between 1.5 and 2.0 millimeters.         -   Color.—Green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A or RHS Yellow Green 145             B). -   Stamen:     -   -   Size compared to petals.—The size of stamen is smaller than             the size of petals. -   Stigma:     -   -   Position compared to anthers.—The stigma is below the             anthers.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 1.0 millimeter.         -   Color.—Pale green to slightly yellow (RHS Yellow Green 154             B)

FRUIT

-   Maturity when described: Firm in ripe conditions (shipping ripe). -   Date of first picking: Jul. 4, 2014. -   Date of last picking: The date of harvest varies slightly with the     prevailing climatic conditions. The ‘CAKESTAR’ variety has a medium     date of picking, and a grouped maturity. The maturity is grouped     within 8 to 9 days and the harvest is generally performed in two     runs. Last known picking times carry on July 4^(th) until Jul. 12,     2014 then on July 15^(th) until Jul. 22, 2015,then on July 18^(th)     until Jul. 25, 2016 and then on July 10^(th) until Jul. 16, 2017. -   Size:     -   -   Generally.—Homogeneous in size. Considered medium to large. -   Average cheek diameter: Approximately 68.0 to 75.0 millimeters. -   Average axial diameter: Approximately 43.0 to 45.0 millimeters. -   Typical weight: Generally about 115.0 to 165.0 grams. The average     weight is 137.6 grams. This characteristic is highly dependent upon     the prevailing cultural practices, and therefore is not particularly     distinctive of the variety. -   Fruit form:     -   -   Generally.—Round and flattened. The fruit is generally             uniform in symmetry, viewed from the suture's plane. -   Suture: -   Fruit suture: Wide-mouthed and slightly marked, extending from the     base to the apex. No apparent callousing or stitching exists along     the suture line. Not pointed.     -   -   Color.—The suture has generally a similar color to the whole             fruit color, a luminous purple red (RHS Greyed Purple 187             A). -   Ventral surface:     -   -   Form.—Smooth. -   Apex: Slightly depressed. -   Base: Semi-flared, shallow. -   Stem cavity: Average depth of the stem cavity is about 6.0 to 8.0     millimeters. Average width is about 14.0 to 17.0 millimeters. -   Fruit skin:     -   -   Thickness.—Considered thick and strong, and the adherence of             skin to flesh is strong to medium, depending on the fruit             maturity.         -   Texture.—Very smooth, without any fuzz.         -   Taste.—Semi-sweet, sugary.         -   Tendency to crack.—None observed. -   Color:     -   -   Blush color.—This blush color is a luminous purple red (RHS             Greyed Purple 187 A). The purple red blush covers the             entirety of the fruit skin surface. -   Fruit stem: Medium in length, approximately 7.0 millimeters. -   Diameter: Approximately 3.5 millimeters. -   Color: Pale green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A to RHS Yellow Green 145     B). -   Flesh:     -   -   Ripens.—Very homogenously, slowly. The flesh has a long             shelf life.         -   Texture.—Very firm, very dense, crunchy, melting, juicy at             harvest maturity stage.         -   Fibers.—Not fibrous.         -   Aroma.—Very pronounced.         -   Eating quality.—Considered very good, aromatic.         -   Flavor.—Considered semi-sweet. The Brix is generally             superior to 13 and acidity comprised between 6 and 9 meq/100             ml.         -   Juice.—Juicy to very juicy at complete maturity.         -   Brix.—Generally 15.0 to 16.0 degrees. This characteristic             varies slightly with the number of fruit per tree;             prevailing cultural practices; and the surrounding climatic             conditions.         -   Flesh color.—White flesh, slightly greenish (RHS Green White             157 B), usually with a slightly red pigmentation into the             stone cavity (RHS Red Purple 60 B) and a slightly red             pigmentation under the skin of the fruit (RHS Red 51 B) at             ripening time.

STONE

-   Type: Semi-Clingstone, more or less semi-adherent depending on the     fruit maturity. -   Size: Considered small for the variety. The stone size varies     significantly depending upon the tree vigor, crop load and     prevailing growing conditions. -   Length: Approximately 15.0 to 16 millimeters. -   Width: Approximately 22.0 to 24.0 millimeters. -   Diameter: Approximately 20.0 to 22.0 millimeters. -   Form: Flattened. -   Base: Straight. -   Apex:     -   -   Shape.—The stone apex is flattened. -   Stone cavity: Considered small size, with flattened form and     dimensions corresponding to the stone's dimensions. -   Stone surface:     -   -   Surface texture.—The pit is transversely furrowed on its             entire surface. Furrows are deeper and more oblate on             lateral sides.         -   Ridges.—The surface texture is generally characterized by             more prominent ridges along the ventral edges and at the             apical tip. -   Ventral edge:     -   -   Width.—Approximately 3.0 to 4.0 millimeters at mid-suture. -   Dorsal edge:     -   -   Shape.—Grooved. -   Stone color: The color of the dry stone is generally considered     light orange brown (RHS Greyed Orange 165 B or RHS Greyed Orange 165     C). -   Tendency to split: Splitting is very low or absent, depending on     climatic conditions between blooming period and stone hardening. -   Kernel:     -   -   Size.—The kernel is considered small.         -   Length.—Approximately 4.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 7.0 millimeters.         -   Thickness.—Approximately 6.0 millimeters.         -   Form.—Considered flattened and elliptic. Sometimes double.         -   Pellicle.—The pellicle of the kernel has a short pubescence.         -   Color.—The kernel skin is orange-brown colored (RHS Greyed             Orange N167 A to RHS Greyed Orange N167 B). The almond,             which is the seed of the kernel, is white (RHS White 155 D)             and has a bitter taste. The kernel and its embryo are mature             at the time of fruit maturity. -   Use: The subject variety ‘CAKESTAR’ is considered to be a white flat     nectarine tree of the medium season of maturity, and which produces     fruits that are considered firm, attractively colored with a very     luminous purple red on the whole fruit skin. Fruits have a     semi-sweet taste and are excellent for uncooked consumption, crunchy     or melting when at full maturity. Fruits have excellent gustative     qualities. Due to their flesh quality, firmness and density, they     can also be commercialized as 4^(th) range product (packed fruit or     fruit in bags for example). And they are also useful for both local     and very long distance shipping. -   Keeping quality: Remarkable. Fruit have a slow maturation and a long     shelf life both on the tree after growth completion and after     harvesting without alteration. After growth completion, fruits are     preserved more than one week. After harvest, fruits are well     preserved more than 4 weeks at 2.0 degree Celsius. -   Shipping quality: Considered very good. The fruit of the new white     flat nectarine variety showed minimal bruising of the flesh or skin     damage after being subjected to normal harvesting and packing     procedures. Its resistance to handling during harvest and packing     and its long shelf life without alteration after harvest easily     permit 3 to 4 weeks-shipping at 2 degrees Celsius. -   Resistance to insects and disease: No particular susceptibilities     were noted. The present variety is not very sensitive to Monilia or     rot. The pistil cavity is completely closed, generally without any     cork formation. Although the new variety of white flat nectarine     tree possesses the described characteristics when grown under the     ecological conditions prevailing near Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales     departement, France, it should be understood that variations of the     usual magnitude and characteristics incident to changes in growing     conditions, fertilization, pruning, pest control and horticultural     management are to be expected. 

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of white flat nectarine tree as illustrated and described, characterized by fruits with high eating quality and very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, with a very well closed pistillary basin, with a semi-sweet white flesh, with a slightly red pigmentation under the fruit skin at ripening time and into the stone cavity, and an attractive luminous skin colored with a purple red blush on the whole skin surface. 